"Belly bar" - what for?

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5890

A lot of strollers have that bar across the middle, I always kind of took it for granted and didn't think much about it. But now I'm seeing that some strollers don't come with it but people spend upwards of $20 apiece to add it on. Just wondering what I'm missing because I never thought of it as anything remotely necessary... in fact the stroller I got secondhand came with a removable one and I took it off and never put it back because it seemed annoying to DD - at least when she was smaller, when she'd lean forward she always looked in danger of conking her nose on it or something. Never bothered to put it back when she got bigger.

So, what's the big idea that would make people want this if it doesn't already come with the stroller?

Posted: Wed, Jul 18 2012, 11:04 pm Post subject: re: "Belly bar" - what for?

It makes it compatible with an infant bucket seat...
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Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5890

Nope, for these strollers the car seat adapter is a DIFFERENT separate accessory. Guess again!

Posted: Wed, Jul 18 2012, 11:10 pm Post subject: re: "Belly bar" - what for?

Some people attach toys to them, but I'm with you - I don't see a point to them. The only kind I would consider getting is one that has a cup holder and a place for snacks, because then it has some sort of function.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5890

They ALSO sell a snack tray/cup holder for the same stroller! Separate from the belly bar! LOL I want a luxury stroller for the nice push but I am not with-it enough for luxury stroller culture...

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7611

Maybe babies like to grab it to sit forward in their seat? Lots of stroller seats dont go upright completely. Or people use it instead of a seatbelt? I dunno, I keep mine off too. I find its easier to get kids in and out without an obstruction.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5890

It's too far out to function as any kind of restraint... I could see kids wanting to grab it, but to the tune of $25 per seat (for City Select)? Weird. And if I were the kid, I imagine I'd 10x prefer if they would just make the seat go upright (the current City Select does, not sure about previous ones). I have an old UB Vista and the kid looks so uncomfortable trying to curl herself forward to get upright Sad

Stupid stroller designs, why do they DO it like that?! As far as I can tell, the current Britax B-ready still does that. The store I peeked into today didn't have many to compare, though, and with my income I should probably stop thinking about which $500 stroller is the best and get back to looking at things I could actually buy.

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7611

Not that you asked my advice, but here it is gratis: get a lightly used stroller on ebay or Craigslist. I got a major steal that way, and couldn't be happier. Also, the city select pushes like a school bus. Try it with two kids inside, up and down curbs and around the aisles of a grocery.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5890

Been keeping an eye on the Craigslist for any metzias within an hour's drive for months already and STILL the best you can usually find is around $500 for the City Select with double seat. Sigh.

Have not had a chance to sample the push yet, but yes, that's a concern. I haven't done any big decision making, just looking around, I figure if I can get a metzia on ANYTHING that will double and let at least one kid face me, I'll take it. Because if it's not a metzia then I can't really afford it anyway, especially since I already have a very serviceable single, a relative is giving us their outgrown double Maclaren, and my first kid is bound to outgrow strollers altogether one of these days (she'll be almost 2 when the baby is due and she's very active and precocious). If I want to splurge on something for less than $500 I'll probably go for a great baby carrier (yes, I've been monitoring the deal sites for that too... nothing very happening) so I can wear #2 and keep #1 in the good single stroller for a while. I'm not so sporty so not sure how long that will be good for though, and also not sure if that will work for anyone other than me (thinking DH but even more so the babysitter who takes great outings with DD in stroller)

Silver Member Joined: Apr 14 2010 Posts: 710

I actually spent the extra $40 for it for my double City Mini (and I don't spend money lightly!). My older child used to ride in her single leaning forward. When I bought a CM as a double and read that the seats do not achieve a fully upright position, I figured that she'd have enough changes in her life with a new sibling (and a new stroller!) that I could afford this small concession for her. Sure enough, the City Mini seats slope backwards Sad

and she uses it to pull herself forward. I would prefer if the seats were upright - I think I read somewhere that it's a jogging stroller thing? And even though the CM is not really a jogging stroller, it is produced by the Baby Jogger company - but given that they're not, my child is much happier with the ability to pull herself up than she'd be having to lean back. I took it off at one point (don't remember why) and she was miserable until I replaced it.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5890

Silver Member Joined: Apr 14 2010 Posts: 710

Or at least provide the belly bars for free!

Posted: Thu, Jul 19 2012, 1:11 am Post subject: re: "Belly bar" - what for?

I have a bugaboo bee. After I turned around the seat to face the street one of my neighbors stopped me and asked, "You're not afraid your baby will fall out?"
Me: "No. Why?"
Neighbor: "Because it doesn't have a bar!"
Me: "I strap him in!"
Neighbor: "Oh. I never have patience to strap my baby."
Me: "You're not afraid your baby will fall out?!"

Posted: Thu, Jul 19 2012, 4:53 am Post subject: re: "Belly bar" - what for?

Some children feel more secure with the bar there. I have both types and found that the are children much happier and calmer with the bar.

Gold Member Joined: Sep 12 2011 Posts: 1928

Gold Member Joined: Sep 12 2011 Posts: 1928

Posted: Thu, Jul 19 2012, 7:49 am Post subject: re: "Belly bar" - what for?

A baby should always be strapped in and never allowed to stand in their strollers.

Gold Member Joined: Jun 03 2007 Posts: 1942

Gold Member Joined: Nov 22 2006 Posts: 1733

I bought a belly bar for my double city mini, I think it was like $50 when I got it. my kids were abt a yr old when I got it and though I was able to achieve almost upright seats (by pulling the strings really tight) I wanted them to have something to lean on they loved it. I dont regret I bought it. when they got older (over 2) I wouldnt strap em if we were just going on a small walk and wed use the belly bar as the protection
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Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

I have one on my phil & Ted (comes standard) and never use it.